Extension for a mobile continuous siding machine

ABSTRACT

An extension embodying a plurality of roll sets which may be swung into alignment with the rolls of a supporting siding machine to modify siding discharged by the machine. A framework of the extension is swingably mounted on the siding machine and rotatably supports a series of roll sets which progressively modify the siding passing along the framework. Locking means secures the extension in place, while adjustment means assures proper alignment of the extension and roll sets therein with the siding discharged by the machine proper. The machine proper is returned to its original configuration by simple repositioning of the extension away from the path of the siding.

United States Patent [191 Beymer EXTENSION FOR A MOBILE CONTINUOUS SIDING MACHINE [76] Inventor: Glen E. Beymer, 83363 N.

Enterprise, Creswell, Oreg.

[22] Filed: Nov. 3, 19,72

[21] Appl. No.: 303,381

[52] US. Cl. 72/181, 72/226 [51] Int. Cl. BZld 5/08 [58] Field of Search 72/181, 179, 176, 22.6; 29/155 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,051,214 8/1962 Rutten 72/181 2,708,958 5/1955 Crafton 72/18] X Jan. 29, 1974 Primary Examiner-Mi1ton S. Mehr Attorney, Agent, or FirmJames D. Givnan, Jr.

[57] ABSTRACT An extension embodying a plurality of roll sets which may be swung into alignment with the rolls of a supporting siding machine to modify siding discharged by the machine. A framework of the extension is swingably mounted on the siding machine and rotatably supports a series of roll sets which progressively modify the siding passing along the framework. Locking means secures the extension in place, while adjustment means assures proper alignment of the extension and roll sets therein with the siding discharged by the machine proper. The machine proper is returned to its original configuration by simple repositioning of the extension away from the path of the siding.

4 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJAN 29 :914

SHEET 1 0F 3 PATENTEDJAN 29 974 sum 2 0f 3 m m nm 29 :914 I 3.788.115

sum 3 or 3 EXTENSION FOR A MOBILE CONTINUOUS SIDING MACHINE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION.

The present invention concerns a roll set equipped extension for a portable metal forming machine such as the type disclosed and claimed in my co-pending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 159,264, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,710,607, and entitled MOBILE-METAL FORMING MACHINE FOR SIDING filed July 2, I971.

The above-mentioned machine produces metal siding for homes at the home site with the siding being formed in a continuous strip from a reel of sheet metal, the siding later cut to the desired length. Such machines have become known in the art as continuous siding machines and primarily are used in the production of siding for application over the wood siding of a house. Heretofore such machines have been manufactured with specific roll sets for the production of a particular style of siding, as for example, siding simulating bevel wood siding. No provision is made for conveniently altering such siding machines in the field to produce other than that one siding type for which'the machine was originally intended.

In the application of metal siding to an existing wall structure the siding applied, in most cases, must correspond to the original wood siding of the structure closely overlying same. For example, walls having both horizontal and vertical areas'of siding must be covered with metal siding extending in the same directions. Similarly, it is not uncommon for a wall structure to include two different types of siding styles. For example, overlapped bevel siding with the boards of one siding style combined with a gable wall being of a different siding style would require two separate forming machines at the site for the production of thetwo different siding styles. It is believed apparent that in view of the instant machines being of substantial value, it is impractical to tie up two machines at a single siding application job site. Additionally, the machine time lost and inconvenience incurred in the transport and return of the two mobile sidingmachines. is doubled by the use of two separate forming machines. I

SUMMARY- OF THE PRESENT INVENTION v the machines roll sets as desired. Precise alignment of the extensions roll sets with those of the machines is accomplished by means of attachment means intermediate the extension and the supporting siding machine. Additionally provided for alignment purposes are adjustable spacers carried by the extension. Accordingly, the roll elements of the extension may receive and progressively form the siding produced by the machine, imparting a modified configuration to the continuous siding.

An important object of the present extensionis to significantly enhance usefulness of a single siding machine by permitting at least two different styles of siding to be alternately produced by one machine. Such is achieved ing. Accordingly, a single siding machine can now accomplish what heretofore required two separate machines operating at the job site without the attendant added cost to the job at hand.

A further important object resides in the provision of the present extension in a manner permitting its convenient use or placement into an inoperative position by means of a pivotal connection between the siding machine and the extension. The machine may be returned to its original state by swinging of the extension into an unused stowed position. The pivotal means interconnecting the extension and the machine additionally provide for the interchange of extensions to suit the siding job at hand with the machine being equipped with the extension desired prior to travel to a job site.

A further object of the present extension is to enhance the capabilities of a mobile siding machine while not hindering its portabilityor usefulness in any way. Accordingly, the machines positionable saw table and operation thereof is not affected, the machine retaining its high degree of usefulness fully described in the copending patent application above noted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the present extension in place on a mobile siding machine,

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the extension operatively disposed on the siding machine,

FIG. 3 is a vertical section taken along line 33 of FIG. 2,

FIG. 4 is a plan view of FIG. 2,

FIG. 5 is an elevational view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4 turned ninety degrees and showing the last roll sets of the machine, and

FIGS. 6 through 9 are elevational views taken respectively along lines 6-6, 7-7, 8-8, 99 of FIG. 4 showing the roll sets of the extension and the configuration of the siding upon passage through said sets.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With continuing reference to the accompanying drawing wherein applied reference numerals indicate parts similarly identified in the following specification, the reference numeral 10 indicates generally a mobile roll machine described and claimed in the co-pending patent application above noted. The following abbreviated description of said machine is provided solely for a better understanding of the later-described invention which is functionally supported by said machine.

With attention again to roll machine 10, the same indicates a mobile base 11 which may be a wheel supported trailer on which is supported a machine frame 3. The latter comprises pairs of elongate side members interconnected at their ends and supporting bearing supports '6 disposed in opposing pairs along the side members. The term stations is applied to the pairs of opposed bearing supports 6 and the roll elements journalled therebetween. A typical bearing support 6 (FIG. 2) adjustably mounts upper and lower bearing blocks 7 and 8 within which bearings are provided for upper and lower roll carrying shafts l8 and 19, each having roll elements thereon for forming of the passing sheet. The roll sets are driven by means of sprocket and chains carried by the shafts 18 and 19 with an electric motor (not shown) driving the rolls.

A roll of flat sheet stock at 12 is supported by the machine from which roll a continuous moving strip of sheet metal is drawn during machine operation by the powered roll sets with the initial run of sheet metal being reversed in direction about a forward roller 13 and thence through guide means 14 carried at each side of frame 3 into the roll sets of a first station. As the strip progresses through all of the stations comprising pairs of supports 6 and roll sets therebetween, it is progressively shaped to the siding section as shown in FIG. 5. As fully described in the other pending patent application, the metal siding is then cut into desired lengths at a saw table indicated generally at 15 extensible rearwardly from frame 3 by means of supporting arms 16, which saw table slidably mounts a pivotal saw 17 for either transverse or angular cuts.

With attention to the present invention, the extension is indicated generally at 20 in place rearwardly adjacent the last station of the siding machine proper to receive the continuous shaped metal strip therefrom. The opposed supports 6 of the last station additionally serve to jointly receive and support a mounting plate 21 in bolted securement to the top of said supports. Projecting rearwardly from said plate are a pair of hangers 22 which pivotally carry by means of bolt members 23 the remaining extension components.

A pair of arms 24 are welded to a base plate 25 and receive at their upper ends bolt members 23 to permit pivotal movement of the base plate and the following described components about an axis A extending through said bolt members and being above and transversely orientated to the siding material being formed. An opening 25A in the base plate permits passage of the siding material therethrough from the last roll set of the machine proper with said roll set and sheet metal configuration associated therewith being shown in FIG.

With attention again to the extension, the base plate 25 comprises part of an extension framework which further includes side members 26 secured to and projecting horizontally rearward from said base. The side members 26 have canted or angled portions 26A extending along their upper and lower edges for purposes of framework rigidity. Said side members terminate in welded attachment to an end plate 27 provided with a transverse opening 27A for passage of the siding material outwardly past a last set of rolls adjustably mounted within a box member 28. The foregoing framework structure embodied within base plate 25, side members 26, end plate 27 and box member 28 comprises a rigid framework within which later-described extension roll sets are carried. The framework and its roll sets are pivotally positionable about axis A to a stowed position, shown in broken lines, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2 in which case the siding produced by machine 10 will have the bevel configuration of that shown in FIG. 5.

Adjustment means for the framework is provided in the form of threaded shafts 30 each axially adjustable and lockable by nut elements 31 bearing on opposite sides of plate 25. The inner ends of shafts 30 abut a vertic al wall of the opposed bearing supports 6 of the machine proper, as typically viewed in FIG. 2, with axial adjustment of shafts 30 raising or lowering the extension as necessary for precise horizontal positioning of same.

For locking of the extension in an operative position, a pair of lugs 32 are provided which may be biased downwardly both against a foot portion 6A of the adjacent support 6 and a projection 33 welded to the base plate. Accordingly, in a typical installation of an extension on a siding machine once the thraeded shafts 30 have been properly adjusted for proper horizontal alignment of the extension the latter may be swung into or out of its operational position with only locking lugs 32 requiring tightening or loosening.

With attention now to the roll sets of the extension, the same are conjointly viewed in FIG. 4 and separately in FIG. 6 through FIG. 9. The extension roll sets are each indicated at E1, E2, E3, and E4 with the rolls of each set being vertically spaced to permit passage therebetween of moving siding sheet stock. The initial roll set E1 of the extension receives the siding from the machine proper whereat the siding is of the sectional configuration shown in FIG. 5 which is entirely suitable for installation over bevel type wood siding as commonly found in home construction.

For modifying the siding produced by the machine proper (FIG. 5) a first set of extension rolls E1 in FIG. 6 are provided, each roll thereof rotatably journalled on a shaft with the latter supported at its ends by sidewall members 26. Elongate openings 268 in each sidewall permit vertical adjustment of each roll toward and away from its companion roll. Additional roll sets E2 and E3 of the extension are likewise supported in a vertically spaced manner with clearance therebetween approximately equal to sheet thickness. Accordingly, the sheet is closely confined by the roll sets E1-E3 intermediate the previously shaped sheet edges. The medial area of the continuous sheet is progressively shaped during passage past the roll sets of the extension to provide a longitudinally extending portion 35 generally perpendicular to the main surfaces of the siding. To accomplish this each of the roll sets El-E3 act upon the medial planar portions of the siding to gradually shape the passing sheet stock to the configurations of FIG. 8.

The rolls E4 in FIG. 9 at the end of the extension impart a change to the previously formed perpendicular portion 35. Specifically the latter rolls serve to cant the intermediate web portion 35 somewhat past the perpendicular to provide the appearance, when installed, of undercut beveled siding. Such siding is termed double four siding in some areas of the country. To enable lateral adjustment of the roll set E4 mounting blocks 36 are provided with their supporting box member 28 being provided with elongate openings 28A. For adjustment of roll set E4 along inclined axes shafts at 37 are in threaded engagement within recesses in blocks 36 with lock nuts at 38 locking adjusted shafts against movement.

Operation of the extension is believed largely apparent from the description provided. The siding machine may operate with the extension moved to its inoperative position (broken line position) at rest on one pair of supports of the machine. The siding produced by the machine will be bevel siding of the section shown in FIG. 5 and having a planar width of approximately eight inches. In jobs where it is desired to apply siding of the sectional configuration shown in FIG. 8, the extension is manually swung into place with its roll sets El through E4 disposed so as to progressively receive the moving siding therebetween. In converting the machine to operation with the extension in place the siding stock must be cut off immediately rearward of the last roll set of the machine prior to positioning of the extension. Such positioning of the extension into place is completed with the biasing of lugs 32 downwardly into abutment with projections 33. The adjustment means 30, for proper elevation of the extension, will have been'initially set at some previous time and will not require resetting at each use of the extension. The use of the saw table is as earlier described in the above-mentioned co-pending application.

While the invention is shown and described in connection with the forming of a specific type of siding as viewed in section in FIG. 9, it is to be understood that the roll sets E1 throughE4 may be replaced with a like number or additional roll sets for the forming of other siding styles such as for example siding having contiguous right angular segments (viewed in section) simulating bat and board siding. The extension may be of greater length than shown for accomodating added number of roll sets if necessary for other simulated siding styles.

In use at a job site the siding machine 10 may be provided with a first extension in place thereon and a second or detached extension 20 for interchangeable use in place of said first extension. A highly flexible siding machine is thereby provided giving the machine operator the capability of running three styles of continuous metal siding with but one machine.

While I have shown but one embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied still otherwise without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim 1. An extension for a forming machine, the latter producing continuous shaped metal siding of a specific cross sectional configuration, said extension compris- ,a framework positionable into and out of alignment with the forming machine and the centerline of the siding path,

rollsets rotatably carried by said framework above and below the path of the continuous siding and acting on same to vary the cross sectional configuration of same when the framework is operatively disposed in alignment with the forming machine, and

means mounting said framework on the forming machine adjacent one end of the machine, said mounting. means adapted to support said framework in an operative horizontal position whereat the extension roll sets progressively receive the passing siding from the machine to vary the sectional configuration of same said mounting means including means permitting movement of the framework to an inoperative position out of alignment with the machine and away from the siding path in instances where the siding produced by the machine is not to be altered.

v 2. The extension as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mounting means additionally includes pivot means permitting movement of the framework to an inoperative position out of alignment with the machine and away from the siding path in instances where the siding produced by the machine is not to be altered.

3. The extension as claimed in claim 2 wherein said framework includes adjustment means for positioning of the framework in desired precise alignment with the path of the siding.

4. The extension as claimed in 'claim 3 additionally including locking means securing the framework in an operative position aligned with the forming machine. 

1. An extension for a forming machine, the latter producing continuous shaped metal siding of a specific cross sectional configuration, said extension comprising, a framework positionable into and out of alignment with the forming machine and the centerline of the siding path, roll sets rotatably carried by said framework above and below the path of the continuous siding and acting on same to vary the cross sectional configuration of same when the framework is operatively disposed in alignment with the forming machine, and means mounting said framework on the forming machine adjacent one end of the machine, said mounting means adapted to support said framework in an operative horizontal position whereat the extension roll sets progressively receive the passing siding from the machine to vary the sectional configuration of same said mounting means including means permitting movement of the framework to an inoperative position out of alignment with the machine and away from the siding path in instances where the siding produced by the machine is not to be altered.
 2. The extension as claimed in claim 1 wherein said mounting means additionally includes pivot means permitting movement of the framework to an inoperative position out of alignment with the machine and away from the siding path in instances where the siding produced by the machine is not to be altered.
 3. The extension as claimed in claim 2 wherein said framework includes adjustment means for positioning of the framework in desired precise alignment with the path of the siding.
 4. The extension as claimed in claim 3 additionally including locking means securing the framework in an operative position aligned with the forming machine. 